Read story on front page of GT News that the Lions Club breakfast was sort of a huge success, or "Something to Remember".
Before I saw it, and talked to three residents and all said attendance was down. Previous years it was taking a slide, so owners gave the usual Sunday date to another group. If I read this article correctly, it makes it appear as to if the attendance was BIG. Not smaller than any previous years.
For now, one Lions club member said that next year may be the last one. They did not loose any money, but sure did not make up what they thought was to be gained.
Why then, maybe if they charged $1000 per meal all they got to do is sell one to make a profit. As similar to the GT days event at the park once reported upon, the city is not looking in to obtaining a whole bunch of folks, but just the few biggie ones. The GT reporter is not telling all of the truth, but is not lying either.
Ifn' you aim the camera thissa way and crop the picture thatta way, it looks like you got a whole bunch of people present, then the readers missed out on something special, and....
Much thought was given prior to posting this email: Here is the thinking it triggered.
The Press or News coverage does not help when it glosses over the levels of participation. A reader may conclude that there was a big bunch of people and that the next event doesn't need their participation.
The Lions Pancake Breakfast is not only a money earner for their charity work it is also a community social event intended to bind relationships and bring neighbors together. The email writers suggestion of charging more per plate may be a funny math on fund raising economics. However, the gathering of neighbors and friends for a community meal is priceless.
So to the Press: Tell about the event AHEAD of the EVENT... and Encourage Participation. After the Event.... Please tell it like it was. More people could have enjoyed the breakfast, come on down for the next event... Put it on your family calendars. The Grand Terrace City News / Margie Miller was offering a 2/1 ticket if you visited the office. The Press and the Sun Telegram reported? How about a Pre Event Picture of a Full Plate and a price tag... saying this meal if for YOU...
So to the Lions: Keep the ticket price down, and have a tip jar for those of us who would contribute more to your efforts.
So to the Citizens of Grand Terrace: Bring your family, or make a commitment for your block to all meet at one time and bring the kids, and have a meal all together and the Lions do the cooking and clean up... Make a family day of it after eating head out to the park and walk off the breakfast or perhaps have a litter walk home... picking up trash on the way home.
Finally:
The press coverage in Grand Terrace has consistently been cast behind a set of Rosy glasses for one reason or another. It is OK to report the news as it IS... and identify where improvements can be made. Ask the Hard Questions. Stop painting over termite infested wood.
Fact is that the Citizens of Grand Terrace are hurting from the Economic Down Turn. Houses are empty or in foreclosure. Employment has dropped, and people finding replacement jobs are taking large income cuts. The Clubs and City Government should all respect and plan on these factors in their event planning.
Is there support for future pancake breakfasts. Perhaps so... but not all activities should be bunched together in the fall. GT' Days, Fireman's PanCake Breakfast, Lions Breakfast, and Halloween Haunt, Country Fair and Woman's Club Hamburger Grill. One could suggest that some of these activities be spread out on the calendar a bit. Perhaps there could be a tie in activity that would increase participation. For example, a pancake breakfast served to people waiting in the dump day line... Deliver pancake meals at the bus stop... a flap jack drive up.
Some of the overload was caused by the GT Days being held in fall rather than spring. Events are good... Collaboration between groups can help improve every events success and participation rates.
Hang in there Lions, and Women's Club, and the GT Days Group, and the GT Community Players, and the Youth Sports Teams... and all other public community groups out there... Your work is needed in the communities you serve. Let people know there is more room at the table, you may be pleased with who may show up. Reporting that there was a full house keeps participants away.
